Sandra Lindsay receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Sandra Lindsay receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Joe Biden awards the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Sandra Lindsay during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 7, 2022. Lindsey is the New York nurse who rolled up her sleeve on live television in December 2020 to receive the first COVID-19 vaccination that was administered in the United States. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Denzel Washington was the biggest celebrity name on the list of people to receive the the nation’s highest civilian honor yesterday. But he wasn’t able to pick up the Presidential Medal of Freedom in person. He missed the ceremony after testing positive for COVID-19. A White House official disclosed the reason. Biden acknowledged Washington’s absence, but didn’t provide details. However he did say Washington can get his medal “when he’s able to get here.” Others who received their medals yesterday were U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, gun control advocate Gabby Giffords and Northwell Health nurse Sandra Lindsay who was the first person in the U.S. to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

Photo: (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

By the Associated Press with Brett Levine